Long bike with lots of hills

Over the last few weeks most of our cycling has been entered around Richmond and Leyburn, this has helped with pace over a reasonably hilly course. But Billy and I felt it was time to take on a monster again. Masham to Lofthouse. So last night I planned a hilly route of 75 miles and let Martin Jeff Jill and Hayley know the planned route. Jill chose not to come as she had done 100 miles around Bolton yesterday. Hayley is new to the gang, we met her at Ellerton and is also training for Ironman UK.

We got up this morning, shocked it was dull, drizzly and the wind had picked up.

Today was Ripon Revolution Sportive and we would be sharing the route at times. My route started as it meant to go on with Well Bank to warm the legs and as we hit the Masham road the first sportive riders were passing us. As we approached Masham the weather deteriorated as we mixed with more event riders. The road to Lofthouse is like a roller coaster, up down up down and the big climbs, Potts Lane and Trapping Hill, we slogged our way up them and then the down. I'm scared of downs, I'm scared in cars, busses and on the bike, and this descent into Lofthouse is one of the scariest. My first attempt earlier in the year I had to walk, the next attempt I un clipped one shoe and kept having to stop, my aim today was to not unclip. I managed it, it actually helped that it was so drizzly and misty, you couldn't see the other side or the bottom of the valley, even if the roads were damp and my headset needs looking at, every time I brake it feels like I'm going over the handlebars.

The run into Pateley Bridge was nice even if the road surface on this stretch is abysmal. A loo stop and onwards and upwards, up out of Pateley before a nice quick stretch towards Ripley. Turn and back upwards towards Bishop Thornton, Jeff cut off home and a few miles later Martin did too, the had cycled to our house before the ride though. 

Now there was just Billy, Hayley and I, we were now going the opposite way to event riders as we headed for Grantley, and after Grantley riding amongst them for a while again, befor heading through Kirkby Malzeard to Grantley and turned up again, this was our last big hill, not very steep but long, before heading down on another rubbish road to Masham via Wathermarske.

At Masham we stopped for a quick break and set off home on an undulating course where we managed to catch a big of time up.

After the ride, we ran 5km to finish the day's training.

It was a good day, tough but fun in a wierd way and nice to ride out with someone new.

After walking the dog and getting cleaned up, we went to the Freemasons Arms at Nosterfield for a lovely roast dinner. 

And rest.

Till tomorrow

3 weeks today will be Ironman UK.

Totals

Wak 3 miles

Swim 0 miles

Bike 72 miles

Run 3.1 miles